| Rock Stars in the Greenroom
I wasn't able to spend much time the greenroom today because I was on-set filling in for Gretchen. So, I temporarily deputized Maureen (fellow Jersey girl/make-up artist extraordinaire) and Jeisohn (famed hair stylist) to record all the behind-the-scenes action. Here's what they tell me: Brian Welch has a lot of tattoos. (Actually, I could see that for myself). The former lead guitarist of the heavy-metal band Korn is covered head-to-toe in them. Believe it or not, he got most of them after quitting the band, quitting drugs and finding God. Brian told Maureen that his favorite one is a picture of his daughter Jennea on his left arm. It took three months to get all of the ink done on that tat ... but he says that wasn't even the most PAINFUL one. That would be the flames on the top of his hands.
Quarterback Carpenter steps in when Bobcats need him
X's and O's are X's and O's," he said. "A post is a post, a corner is a corner, a hitch is a hitch. Being fifth-year seniors and being around football a long time, both Jack and I were able to grasp the concepts of this offense."Carpenter said he believes the offense is ready to have a breakout game."We're really close," he said. "Offense is a tough thing. You need all 11 guys doing the right things. You can see it in games: When we get 11 men doing what they're supposed to, boom, we've got a big play."What is not certain is whether Carpenter will be the guy helping to deliver that big play. Rolovich, a right-hander, has no problem throwing, but all it has taken in recent games is one hard hit to aggravate his left shoulder. Ash said MSU coaches deciding whether another weekend on the sidelines might be the best medicine for that injury.Rolovich's injury and Carpenter's solid performance also has reopened the competition at quarterback."My philosophy on injuries is this - and I've told this to the team - a player doesn't lose his job because of an injury, but he doesn't automatically get it back after he's injured," Ash said.
Pentax unveils K20D, K200D digital SLRs
Pentax joined in the slew of updates for the PMA photo expo this afternoon with updates to its K-series digital SLRs. Looking to earn the same reputation as its larger rivals, the company's flagship K20D jumps from 10.1 to 14.6 megapixels compared to the older K10D but also switches to a new CMOS sensor; this eliminates much of the noise that appears with conventional CCD sensors at mid-to-high ISO sensitivity levels used for shooting in low light, the camera maker explains. It also extends that ISO range to 6400 and supplies hardware image stabilization through the body rather than the lens. The K20D also allows beginners or those caught in unusual shooting positions to compose a shot with a live preview on the 2.7-inch LCD rather than having to use the optical viewfinder, as with most digital SLRs.
Ask the Editor: Managing Editor George Rodrigue
In the first 11 days of February, we printed nine stories or briefs about the situation in Chad. We'll often run one or two big stories to introduce a problem, and then try to keep people informed about smaller developments via briefer mentions on inside pages. And we're always on the lookout for local people or organizations trying to make a difference in the wider world. If you've got thoughts on stories we should write to bring the world home to Dallas, please share them. Ivan Bourbon writes to ask whatever became of Joe Horn, the Pasadena, Texas, man who shot two suspected burglars. "Was he indicted/convicted/sentenced/sent to hang?" This story's a fascinating example of how what's a smallish newspaper story can set of a firestorm on the Internet. Mr. Horn, a 61-year-old computer consultant, shot the two suspected burglars after a 911 operator urged him to stay inside his home.
China enacts new labour law amid rising discontent
Chinas new Labour Contract Law came into effect at the beginning of the year. The government and state-run media has hailed the legislation as a milestone in the protection of the rights of Chinese workers. In reality, it formally guarantees only the most minimal working conditions, which in many sweatshops will simply be ignored. The key provision is that all workers in China must be employed on the basis of a written contract that stipulates their wage rates and under what conditions they can be fired. Previously, at least 40 percent of employees of private companies had no contract at all. Employers must also contribute to a social insurance or unemployment fund for each worker. Employees who have worked for over 10 years for the same firm or had a fixed-term contract renewed twice are entitled to an open-ended contract.
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